Patents by Inventor Kristyn R. Falkenstern

Kristyn R. Falkenstern has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11900497
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as digital watermarking and other encoded signals. One claim recites a substrate comprising: a plurality of first areas and a plurality of second areas, in which each of the plurality of first areas comprises a color ink printed therein with a first clear topcoat layer printed over the color ink, and in which each of the plurality of second areas comprises the color ink printed therein, and a second clear topcoat layer printed over the color ink, in which the first clear topcoat layer and the second clear topcoat layer each comprise a different sheen relative to one another, and in which the plurality of second areas is arranged on the substrate in hole locations provided in the first clear topcoat layer, the second clear topcoat layer filling in the holes, the holes arranged according to a 2-dimensional pattern that is machine-readable from image data depicting such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Publication number: 20240025599
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Patent number: 11810378
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to data hiding for retail product packaging and other printed objects such as substrates. One embodiment embeds an information signal in a spot color for printing on various substrates. The spot color is screened, and overprinted with process color tint. The tint is modulated prior to overprinting with optimized signal tweaks. The optimization can include consideration of a detector spectral dependency (e.g., red and/or green illumination). Many other embodiments and combinations are described in the subject patent document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Tomas Filler, Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Yang Bai
  • Patent number: 11798116
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. One implementation is directed to a printed object comprising: a white substrate or background comprising a first area; an ink mixture printed at a first plurality of spatial locations within the first area, the ink mixture printed such that the first area comprises a second plurality of spatial locations without the ink mixture, the ink mixture comprising extender white and Green 7 ink, the ink mixture comprising a volume or weight ratio of 97.5% to 99.75% white extender and 2.5%-0.25% Green 7 ink; in which the first plurality of spatial locations is arranged in a pattern conveying an encoded signal, and in which the white substrate or background and the ink mixture comprise a spectral reflectivity difference at or around 660 nm in a difference range of 8%-30%. Of course, other implementations, methods, packages, systems and apparatus are described in this patent document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Patent number: 11756148
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. We disclose methods, systems and apparatus for selecting which ink(s) should be selected to carry an encoded signal for a given machine-vision wavelength for a retail package or other printed design. We also disclose retail product packages and other printed objects, and methods to generate such, including a sparse mark in a first ink and an overprinted ink flood in a second ink. The first ink and the second ink are related through tack and spectral reflectance difference. Of course, other methods, packages, objects, systems and apparatus are described in this disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Alastair M. Reed
  • Patent number: 11741567
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as image processing, signal encoding, digital watermarking and data hiding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Alastair M. Reed, Vojtech Holub, Tony F. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11665302
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. One claim is directed to a container comprising: a 3004 or 3003 aluminum alloy shell, the 3004 or 3003 aluminum alloy shell comprising an outer surface and an inner surface; a 5182 aluminum alloy lid attached to the 3004 or 3003 aluminum alloy shell; and an opaque ink printed on the outer surface in a 2-dimensional pattern according to a machine-readable signal. The outer surface and the opaque ink printed on the outer surface comprise a spectral reflectance difference at a machine-vision wavelength in a range of 8%-30%, and the machine-readable signal is detectable from imagery representing the opaque ink printed on the outer surface. Of course, other containers, technology, methods, packages, objects, systems and apparatus are described in this disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Patent number: 11657469
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to signal encoding for printed objects. One implementation selects an embed direction based on a minimal visibility axis of a 1 JND ellipse at a certain color center. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory for storing chromatic contrast sensitivity data representing multiple color encoding angles; one or more multi-core processors configured for: using the stored chromatic contrast sensitivity data, generating an ellipse around a first color center; and from the ellipse, determining a signal encode direction, the signal encode direction comprising an angle ? representing a negative angle between the ‘a*’ axis in an CIELAB space and a direction of minimum sensitivity of an encoded signal, in which the angle ? comprises ?9 degrees????25 degrees. Other technology described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Patent number: 11643253
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Publication number: 20230086415
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Jay Sperry, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Patent number: 11560005
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to counterfeit detection and deterrence using advanced signal processing technology including steganographic embedding and digital watermarking. Digital watermark can be used on consumer products, labels, logos, hang tags, stickers and other objects to provide counterfeit detection mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Alastair M. Reed, Tomas Filler
  • Patent number: 11501405
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. The technology may be applied to retail packages and other printed objects, e.g., such as hang tags, labels and receipts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Publication number: 20220335740
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to data hiding for retail product packaging and other printed objects such as substrates. One embodiment embeds an information signal in a spot color for printing on various substrates. The spot color is screened, and overprinted with process color tint. The tint is modulated prior to overprinting with optimized signal tweaks. The optimization can include consideration of a detector spectral dependency (e.g., red and/or green illumination). Many other embodiments and combinations are described in the subject patent document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Tomas Filler, Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Yang Bai
  • Publication number: 20220292625
    Abstract: Consumer product labels sometime include 2D machine readable codes, such as digital watermark patterns. When such label artwork is printed on a plastic sleeve that is then heat-shrunk to conform to a plastic container, the code can become distorted and unreadable. Various techniques are detailed to cope with this problem. Additionally, methods are disclosed to assess—before a heat-shrink label is applied to a product—the expected final readability of any machine readable code included in the label artwork. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Hugh L. Brunk, Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Vojtech Holub
  • Patent number: 11354767
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Jay Sperry, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Patent number: 11263829
    Abstract: The present document provides image processing methods and apparatus. One claim recites: obtaining a signal to be encoded in color image data, the signal comprising a plural-bit payload; predicting a resulting color of overprinting several inks on a substrate, the overprinting representing the color image data encoded with the signal; using the resulting color for both i) visibility evaluation of the overprinting, and ii) signal robustness evaluation of the overprinting as seen by an imaging device. Other claims and combinations are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Tomas Filler, Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Yang Bai
  • Publication number: 20220044346
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. One implementation is directed to a printed object comprising: a white substrate or background comprising a first area; an ink mixture printed at a first plurality of spatial locations within the first area, the ink mixture printed such that the first area comprises a second plurality of spatial locations without the ink mixture, the ink mixture comprising extender white and Green 7 ink, the ink mixture comprising a volume or weight ratio of 97.5% to 99.75% white extender and 2.5%-0.25% Green 7 ink; in which the first plurality of spatial locations is arranged in a pattern conveying an encoded signal, and in which the white substrate or background and the ink mixture comprise a spectral reflectivity difference at or around 660 nm in a difference range of 8%-30%. Of course, other implementations, methods, packages, systems and apparatus are described in this patent document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Publication number: 20220012838
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to signal encoding for printed objects. One implementation selects an embed direction based on a minimal visibility axis of a 1 JND ellipse at a certain color center. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory for storing chromatic contrast sensitivity data representing multiple color encoding angles; one or more multi-core processors configured for: using the stored chromatic contrast sensitivity data, generating an ellipse around a first color center; and from the ellipse, determining a signal encode direction, the signal encode direction comprising an angle ? representing a negative angle between the ‘a*’ axis in an CIELAB space and a direction of minimum sensitivity of an encoded signal, in which the angle ? comprises ?9 degrees????25 degrees. Other technology described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Alastair M. Reed, Kristyn R. Falkenstern
  • Publication number: 20220012840
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as image processing, signal encoding, digital watermarking and data hiding. A sparse or dense digital watermark signal can be conveyed with a narrow-band absorption material corresponding to a center wavelength of a Point of Sale (POS) barcode scanner. The POS barcode scanner typically captures 2D imagery. Since the narrow-band absorption material absorbs over a narrow-band it is relatively imperceptible to the Human Visual System (HVS) but can be seen by the POS scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Alastair M. Reed, Vojtech Holub, Tony F. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20210366073
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. We disclose methods, systems and apparatus for selecting which ink(s) should be selected to carry an encoded signal for a given machine-vision wavelength for a retail package or other printed design. We also disclose retail product packages and other printed objects, and methods to generate such, including a sparse mark in a first ink and an overprinted ink flood in a second ink. The first ink and the second ink are related through tack and spectral reflectance difference. Of course, other methods, packages, objects, systems and apparatus are described in this disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Kristyn R. Falkenstern, Alastair M. Reed